DID YOU READ

10 Horror Sequels You Seriously Need to Watch

It’s hard to make a good horror sequel. A first film sets up suspense and surprises, and it’s too easy to do more of the same. Here are ten scary sequels that live up to the originals.

10. Dawn of the Dead

George Romero took the claustrophobic terror of Night of the Living Dead and expanded it to a desolate shopping mall for this undisputed classic.

9. Friday the 13th Part 2

Jason Voorhees didn’t start his killing spree until the second film in the Friday the 13th series, and the sequel really laid the groundwork for the franchise.

8. Final Destination 2

The first Final Destination took itself way too seriously, but the sequel realized that absurd Rube Goldberg-esque deathtraps were the reason for the ticket sales and went full-on with them.

7. Maniac Cop 2

William Lustig’s sleazy exploitation flicks are completely free of redeeming qualities, but this absurdly gory sequel is in a class of its own.

6. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part II

Tobe Hooper knew that he couldn’t go back to the grainy, grisly well that made the first Texas Chainsaw Massacre work, so he instead delivered a cutting black comedy that still holds up.

5. Wes Craven’s New Nightmare

The best of the “traditional” Nightmare on Elm Street flicks is up for discussion, but this meta-sequel was a brain-bender that came from out of nowhere.

4. Hellbound: Hellraiser II

The first Hellraiser film is decent but not great, but the sequel takes the opportunity to push the envelope with tons of surreal visuals.

3. Psycho II

Following up Hitchcock isn’t a job any filmmaker wants, but Richard Franklin crafted a surprisingly excellent sequel with a returning Anthony Perkins.

2. Phantasm II

Don Coscarelli took nine years to follow up 1979 cult hit Phantasm, but it was worth the wait. Mike and Reggie’s second dust-up with the Tall Man was an improvement in nearly every way.

1. Evil Dead II & Army of Darkness

Evil Dead II is a hilarious retelling of the original cult classic, while the third film in Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead series puts protagonist Ash in a whole new world – the distant past – and amps up everything that made the first film great.

Your Portlandia Personality Test

Carrie and Fred understand that although we have so much in common, we’re each so beautifully unique and different. To help us navigate those differences, Portlandia has found an easy and honest way to embrace our special selves in the form of a progressive new traffic system: a specific lane for every kind of driver. It’s all in honor of the show’s 8th and final season, and it’s all presented by Subaru.

Ready to find out who you really are? Match your personality to a lane and hop on the expressway to self-understanding.

Lane 10: Trucks Piled With Junk

Your junk is falling out of your trunk. Shake a tail light, people — this lane is for you.

Lane 33: Twins

You’re like a Gemini, but waaaay more pedestrian. Maybe you and a friend just wear the same outfits a lot. Who cares, it’s just twinning enough to make you feel special.

Lane 27: Broken Windows

Bad luck follows you around and everyone knows it. Your proverbial seat is always damp from proverbial rain. Is this the universe telling you to swallow your pride? Yes.

Lane 69: Filthy Cars

You’re all about convenience. Getting your car washed while you drive is a no-brainer.

Lane 43: Newly Divorced Singles

It’s been a while since you’ve driven alone, and you don’t know the rules of the road anymore. What’s too fast? What’s too slow? Are you sending the right signals? Don’t worry, the breakdown lane is nearby if you need it.

Still can’t find a lane to match your personality? Check out all the videos here. And see the final season of Portlandia this spring on IFC.

Last-Minute Holiday Gift Guide

It’s the final countdown to Christmas and thanks to IFC’s movie marathon all Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, you can revel in classic ’80s films AND find inspiration for your last-minute gifts. Here are our recommendations, if you need a head start:

Musical Instrument

Great analog entertainment substitute when you refuse to give your kid the Nintendo Switch they’ve been drooling over.

Breakfast In Bed

Any significant other or child would appreciate these Uncle Buck-approved flapjacks. Just make sure you’re not stuck on clean up duty.

Cocktail Supplies

You’ll need them to get through the holidays.

Dance Lessons

So you can learn to shake-shake-shake (unless you know ghosts willing to lend a hand).

Comfy Clothes

With all the holiday meals, there may be some…embigenning.

Get even more great inspiration all Christmas Eve and Day on IFC, and remember…

Celebrating Portlandia One Sketch at a Time

Most people measure time in minutes, hours, days, years…At IFC, we measure it in sketches. And nothing takes us way (waaaaaay) back like Portlandia sketches. Yes, there’s a Portlandia milepost from every season that changed the way we think, behave, and pickle things. In honor of Portlandia’s 8th and final season, Subaru presents a few of our favorites.